Six60 win Maori Television award

OUTSTANDING: Six60 have been awarded the Tipuarangi — Arts & Entertainment award at Maori Television's fifth annual Matariki Awards. The band are pictured at Wainui Beach in 219 after Gisborne won a visit and 'acoustic jam' by the band. From left are Marlon Gerbes, Matiu Waters, Chris Mac, Eli Paewai and Ji Fraser.Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Six60 have been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to te Ao Maori at Maori Television's fifth annual Matariki Awards — Nga Tohu o Matariki o te Tau 2021.

The band received the Tipuarangi — Arts & Entertainment award, which recognises those who have made an extraordinary contribution and demonstrated outstanding commitment in arts and entertainment.

Six60 is a five-piece band formed in 2008. The members are Gisborne's Ji Fraser (lead guitar), Matiu Walters (vocals, guitar), Marlon Gerbes (synths), Chris Mac (bass), and Eli Paewai (drums).

The band began in a humble Castle Street flat in Dunedin, and has since graced festivals and airwaves throughout Aotearoa. In 2019 they became the first New Zealand band to sell out Western Springs Stadium. In 2021 they became the first band to play Eden Park.

Six60 have helped to put more te reo on the charts with their 2019 release of Kia Mau Ki To Ukaipo/Don't Forget Your Roots.

“I don't know if (te reo) is going to make its way into the mainstream, but we're going to have a crack at it,” Six60 drummer Eli Paewai said.